Controlling-works for canals or the like.



No. 674,629. Patnted May 2|, mm. o. sum-ms.

CONTROLLING-WORKS FOB CANALS OR THE LIKE.

(Applicatiop filed June 16, 1900. Renewed Apr. 25, 1901.) (No Model.) 4 Shaets$heet I.

'No. 674,629. Patented May 2|, 190i.

0.- GUTHRIE. CONTROLLING WORKS FOB CANALS OR THE LIKE.

(Application-filed June 16, 1900. Renewed Apr. 25, 1901.)

(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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No. 674,629. Patented May-2|, l90l. 0. GUTHRIE.

CONTROLLING WORKS FOR OANALS OR THE LIKE (Application filed June 16, 1900, Rene ed A r. 25, 1901.) (N0 Model.) 4 Sheen -Sheet 3.

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No. 674,629. Patenked May 2|, |90l.' 0. GUTHRIE.

CONTROLLING WORKS FOR CANALS OR THE LIKE.

(Application filed June 16, 1900. Rcnewed Apr. 25, 1901.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT @rricn.

OSSIAN GUTHRIE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CONTROLLING-WORKS FOR CANALS OR THE LIKE.

SPECIFICATLFON forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 67%,629, dated May 21, 1901. Application filed June 16, 1900. Renewed April 25, 1961. Serial No. 57,517. \l lc model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSSIAN GUTHRIE, a citizen of the United States. residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Controlling- W'orks for Canals, Channels, or the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to controlling-Works for canals, channels, and the like.

The object of the invention is to providea construction of controlling-works for canals which is simple and efficient.

The invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, location, and arrangement, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure 1 isadiagrammatic view in plan of a controlling-Works for canals embodying the principles of my-invention. Fig. 2 is a view on a larger scale in vertical transverse section. Fig. 3 is a view in vertical longitudinal section of a controlling-gate support, showing means for operating the gate. Fig. 4 is a broken detail sectional view showing means for bracing the gate supporting and operating turrets at the base thereof. Fig. 5 is a broken view in plan of one of the controlling-gates and its supporting and opcrating turrets, showing means for bracing the same at the upperend thereof. Fig. 6 is a broken detail sectional view on the line 6 6,

3, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic View in plan embodying a modification.

The same part is designated by the same reference-sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

- In the operation of canals or similar waterways, and particularly where the channel is comparatively narrow and there is a current, it frequently happens that the level of the waterin thecliannel becomes unduly lowered from the effect of the wind or long-continued drought or from other cause, thereby seriously impeding or interfering with navigation of the canal, especially in the case-of boats or other vessels of considerable draft which become grounded. Again, where there is any or channel.

works at the widened points.

' It is the special purpose of my present invention to provide a controlling-works for canals or navigable channels whereby these diiiiculties are overcome, and in the provision of a controlling-works for this purpose it is important to make provision for the operation of the controlling-works in such a manneras to check the flow of water through the channel to an extentnecessary to cause the level of the water in the channel to rise sufficiently to float the vessels or boats Without impeding the navigation of the channel.

My invention therefore contemplates an arrangement of controlling-Works whereby this result may be attained.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, reference-sign A designates a navigable canal At suitable points, and preferably spaced a distance apart sufficient to accommodate therebetween a boat or vessel of maximum lengthsay three or four hundred feet, more or less-the channel or canal is widened, as indicated at B B. By the widening of the channel or waterway at the points B Bthe strength of the current at those points is correspondingly reduced, thereby reducing the ditficulty of operating the controlling- I arrange a controlling mechanism at each of the widened .portions of the channel or canal, and to this end the construction and arrangement at one point is an exact duplicate of that at the other point, and the two sets cooperate with each other in the attainment of the desired results.

Of course it is evident that the apparatus may be located at any desired point in the length of the canal or channel and may be duplicated at as many points as may be desired or necessary to accomplish the desired objects. 7 I

I will now describe an illustrative form of construction and arrangement of controllingworks, it being understood thatwhile the description is of one set such description will also apply to the other set or sets, as the constructions are do plicat'es of each other. Suitably-constructed rotatable turrets (indicated generally in Fig. 1 by reference-signs O C) are erected in the channel or waterway at the widened portion thereof, each turret being arranged a distance from the edge or side of the channel or canal equal to about one-fourth the entire width of the widened portion, so that the space between the turrets will be of sufficient width to permit the passage therebetween of vessels or boats of the maximum breadth or beam. Carried by each turret is a gate D D, each gate being supported intermediate its ends upon its supporting-turret, so that the ends thereof project in opposite directions and equal distances from the turret, as clearly shown in the drawings. By this construct-ion and arrangement it will be seen that when the turrets O C are operated to place the gates D D transversely of the channel or canal, as shown in Fig. 1, said gates will practically close the channel or tive turrets.

canal, one end of each gate extending to a point substantially at the middle of the channel and the other end of each gate extending to the side Wall of the widened portions B B, just snfiicient space being left between the proximate or mid-stream ends of the gates to permit said gates to just pass each. other when the supporting-turrets are operated and just sufficient space being left between the outer ends of the gates and the adjacent surface of the wall of widened portions B B to permit the gates to be freely turned when their supporting-turrets are operated.

By the construction above described I secure a balanced effect upon the gates when said gates are in closed position. This result is secured by reason of the fact that each gate presents the same area to the pressure of the water flow or current on each side of its supporting-turret, and hence a comparatively small power is required to maintain the gates in closed relation or to move them to open or closed position.

I will now describe the construction of the gate-supporting turrets and means for supporting, bracing, and operating the same. Each turret comprises three shells or drums E F G, (see Figs. 3 and 4,) said shells or drums being arranged within each other. The intermediate shell or drum F is stationary and is suitably secured to the foundation or masonry work H, erected to receive the same. The gates D D are suitably secured to and carried by the outer shell E of their respec- In order to reduce friction as much as possible, the inner shell or drum G is supported on rollers J, operating on a track K, and at the lower end thereof on the inner side is provided with a rack L. At diametrically opposite points the rack L is engaged by gears M, which are actuated by a motor N, whereby rotation may be imparted to said shell or drum G. Any suitable, convenient, or desired motor may be employed for this purpose. I have shown as illustrative of my invention an electric motor having the ends of the shaft 0 thereof extended in opposite directions therefrom and operating a convenient arrangement of gearing (indicated at P, Figs. 3 and 5) through which gears M are operated. By this arrangement Isecure a balanced action of the motor, thereby facilitating an easy and smooth operation thereof. The inner and outer shells or drums E Gare suitably joined together above the top edge of the intermediate shell F, as by means of the plate Q and angle-bar R, and said inner and outer shells are supported upon rollers S, which operate upon the top edge or end of the intermediate shell or'drum as a track, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. In order to efficiently brace the revolving shells E G at the lower ends thereof, I provide said shells with rollers T W, the rollers T of the outer shell bearing against and operating upon a track E, carried on the outer surface of the intermediate shell, and the rollers W of the inner shell bearing against and operating upon a track F, carried on the inner surface of the intermediate shell. These rollers T \V not only reduce friction, but also, operating in opposition to each other, serve to efficiently brace the turret, thereby enabling it to withstand the stress and strainsimposed upon it. In order to still further brace and support the turrets, I provide a system of cantaliverbraces for the upper end of each turret. These cantaliver-braces are indicated at G and are anchored in any convenient manner upon the shore and project out over the canal to the turrets. The outer shell E of each turret is extended above the top ends of the other shells and is provided on both the inside and outside thereof with tracks H, against and upon which operate the rollers K, carried by the cantaliver-braces. In this manner the turrets are efficiently braced and supported to enable them to withstand the pressure and strains imposed thereon. If desired, a protecting cover or shield (indicated at L) may be provided for the top of the turret to protect the same from the weather. In order that access may be readily gained to the interior of the turrets to inspect or repair the motor or other machinery, a stairway (indicated at M) may be suitably suspended from the cantaliver construction and arranged to extend down into the turret.

From the construction above described it will be readily seen that the flow of Water through the channel will not be entirely or absolutely stopped when the gates are disposed transversely thereof; but it will be sufliciently arrested to quickly secure the desired elevation of the level of the water.

It is an established fact that the current of a river, channel, canal,or the like in which there is a movementof the Water is more rapid in the middle of the stream or channel than along the sides or banks thereof. Therefore with the construction above described when IIO the controlling gates are disposed transversely of the channel or in closed position the pressure on that wing of each gate which extends toward the center or middle of the channel is greater than the pressure on that wing thereof that extends toward the bank or side from the supporting-turret. It is desirable to provide means for relieving the gates of the strain due to this variation in pressure on the two wings or ends of each gate, and myinvention contemplates and includes means for accomplishing this result. It is obvious that the desired object may be secured in many diiferent ways. While, therefore, I have shown, and will now describe one construction for securing the de-- sired result, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited or restricted thereto. In the form shown I provide one or more openings, as passages N, through each wing or end of each gate at a point sufiiciently below the level of the water to permit a flow of the water therethrough. Each opening or passage is controlled by a wicket or door 0. The doors 0 'are each journaled or pivoted in such manner as to permit said doors to rock or swing so as to open or close said openings or passages. In the form shown, which by reason of its simplicity and efficiency I prefer to use, the doors or wickets are journaled on Vertical axes, the axis of each door being arranged slightly nearer one end thereof than the other end, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and I connect a weight or other suitable counterbalance to each door or wicket or to the pivotal axis thereof and so regulate the same as to normally but yieldin'gly maintain the door or wicket closed. In practice I so adjust the weight or counterbalance of each door as to just maintain the door closed against the pressure exerted by the current upon that end of the gate nearest the bank or side of the channel. From this it will be seen that the greater pressure exerted upon the mid-stream end of the gate by the greater current in the middle of the stream will cause the counterweight of the doors or wickets carried by that end of the gate to be overcome, and hence to cause the doors or wickets to automatically open to permit a fiow of water through the openings or passages in that end of the gate, thereby relieving such end of the increased pressure imposed thereon. Reference-sign P designates the weight or counterbalance and which is suitably connected by rope or cord Q to an arm R, which is connected to the trunnion of the door or wicket. By this construction the door or wicket is normally held in closed position, but is free to open in either directiou.

I prefer to construct the gates hollow, as most clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and to suit-ably brace the side walls thereof. By

' making the gates hollow and air-tight I am enabled to fill them with compressed air in order to prevent leakage of water into the interior of said gates, and hence secure a desirable buoyancy thereof, thereby relieving their supporting-turrets of undue weight.

As above indicated, and as shown in Fig. l, I operate the controlling-works in sets arranged any desirable distance apart, and both sets may be operated from a tower or operating-room, (diagrammatically indicated at S, Fig. 1,) and which may be located at any convenient point with reference to the sets of con trolling-works.

It sometimes happens that by reason of accident or wear or otherwise the bed of a canal will need repair and that in order to effect such repair it will become necessary to empty the canal of the water. Then after the bed of the canal is repaired and it is desired to refill the same a considerable period will be necessary before this can be accomplished unless some change and addition are made to the arrangement shown in the construction before described, and with the end in view of facilitating the refilling of the canal after the repair is accomplished a modified arrangement (illustrated in Fig. 7 of the drawings) has been devised. According to this modified plan the bed of the canal or stream is divided in the direction of its length at the point where the controlling-works is situated. The division may be of masonry or other suitable construction and is designated in the drawings by the reference-letter A This dividing-partition may of course be placed at variable distances from the bank, according to circumstances; but it is usually found preferable in streams or canals in which the flow has considerable velocity to place the division or partition about the center. At one 'side of this partition there are arranged two pairs of gatesD D at suitable distances apart, constructed and arranged as before described, and intermediate of these pairs of gates a pair of supplemental gates, the construction and arrangement of which will be hereinafter described, and this pair of supplemental gates is designated in the drawings by the reference-letter 0 At the other side of the partition there is arranged a path or channel for the water, which is unobstructed except at its delivery end. This by-pass or side channel is designated in the drawings by the reference-letter A and the partition may be supported by stays, in the form of bridges B which span the by-pass or side channel and strengthen the support of the partition. Communication is afforded between the by-pass or side channel and the navigable channel by small valves 13 which may be operated in any suitable manner, but usually may be readily actuated by hand. At the delivery end of this by-pass or side channel is arranged a lifting gate B, which is constructed to entirely cut off the flow through the by-pass or side channel when such gate is depressed to the bottom of the channel for a purpose which will be hereinafter specified. The navigable channel is, as before stated,

obstructed by the supplemental gates 0 which are so constructed as to practically and entirely out off the flow of water through such channel when they are closed. At the bottom of the channel there maybe arranged an abutment to resist the strain on these supplemental gates, composed of timbers or other convenient material; but of course this abutment must be arranged so close to the bottom as not to interfere with the passage of vessels. A small passage D traverses one side or bank of the channel and connects portions of such channel on opposite sides of the supplemental gates, and in this passage may be arranged a powerful pump of any suitable construction, as indicated at D The supplemental gates C turnrhe turrets C of similar construction to the turrets of the main gates, but of smaller size,and may be manipulated by any suitable mechanism. A segmental gear meshing with a pinion is shown in the drawings for the purpose, and the shaft of this pinion may be connected with any suitable source of power, such as the dynamo shown in the other figures of the drawings.

The operation of my controlling-works will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Suppose the current in the channel or canal to be flowing in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 1 and it is desired to raise the level of the water in that end of the channel or canal to the right of Fig. 1. The two sets of gates are therefore closed, as shown in Fig. 1. If the currentin the center of the stream sufliciently exceeds that at the sides or banks to cause the door or wicket counterweights to be overcome,then the doors or wickets O in the midstreamends of the gates are automatically opened and the gates are relieved of undue pressure. Now suppose a boat or vessel traveling in the same direction as the current should approach the controlling-works. The set of gates shown to the right of Fig. 1 are opened by rotating or swinging the same in advance of or with the vessel. The waterthus released by the opening of these gates will still be retained by the other set of gates, which remain closed. As soon as the boat or vessel passesby the first set of controlling-gates said gates may be again rotated or swung, so as to follow up the boat or vessel and be again brought into closed position. \Vhen the boat or vessel reaches the second set of controllingates, the same operation is gone through with. Thus it will be seen that I provide a system of controlling-works which will effect the desired control of the channel or canal without interfering with the navigation of the channel or canal.

1 have not shown the manner of control of the turrets from the tower S, as the arrangement would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art and forms no part of my present invention.

In the event of the bed of the channel needing repair it is believed that it would be found desirable to provide a construction and arrangement which would enable such channel to be emptied and refilled with rapidity and facility, and to that end the con-- struct-ion shown in Fig. 7 has been devised. The supplemental gates G are arranged between the main or balanced gates, as shown in the drawings, and are so constructed as to much more completely out off the flow of water than the other gates, and, in fact, to practically and entirely stop the flow through the navigable channelthat is, the channel through which the vessels are expected to pass. The water flows in the direction of the arrow, and being cut off by the supplemental gates and also the gates at the end of the bypass or side channel A the flow into the main-channel is entirely prevented. Now when it is desired to refill the channel or canal with water below the gates it will of course be necessary in order to effect this quickly to open the supplemental gates; but as the intermediate or supplemetal gates are not balanced the side next the source of the canal or stream will have a much greater water-pressure than the other side of such gates, because below the gates the waterhas been practically and entirely exhausted. This unbalanced water-pressure on these supplemental gates will make them difficult to open, and in order to overcome this the water-pressure should be introduced on both sides of such supplemental gates. In the first place the small valves B are opened and the water passes from the side channel into the lock behind the supplemental gates; but this alone might not supply water with sufficient rapidity, and accordingly the pump D is putinto operation and rapidly augments the supply of water below the gates, taking it from above the gates, so that in a comparatively short time the water-pressure on opposite sides of these supplemental gates is balanced. To further facilitate the opening, the pump maybe operated until the water below the gate is, say, two inches higher than the wa ter above the gate, which will cause an additional pressure from behind the gate, and thus to start it, and thereby materially assist the mechanism for operating it. The other gates being closed, when the supplemental gates are opened the water will then be ready to flow into the channel and fill it by means of the by-pass gates and the controlling-gate. Of course in view of the variation in the direction of the wind and from other causes the velocity of a river which leads into a channel or canal from a lake will vary considerably. When the current is normal, it will probably not be necessary to close the gate B* at the delivery end of the by-pass or side channel when it is desired to pass a vessel through the other or navigable side of the channel or for any other purpose; but if for any reason the current is still too strong to enable the vessel to readily pass in the required direction then the sliding gate may be ClOswl, which. in connection with the other gates, will cut off practically all flow of current and allow the vessel to proceed freely. It will be readily understood that it will be only necessary to divide the channel into two portions, in the manner shown in Fig. 7, near the entrance to the canal, where the current is particularly strong, and it. will he only necessary, as before suggested, to use the supplemental or unbalanced gates when it is desired to exhaust the canal of water for repairing its bed below the gates.

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction and arrangemeut embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a controlling-works for canals, channels and the like, controlling-gates arranged in suitably-spaced sets, each set comprising a pair of gates, a turret for supporting each gate, and means for rotating said turrets, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a controlling-works for canals, channels and the like, controlling-gates arranged in pairs, a supporting-turret for each gate, means for bracing each turret, and means for rotating said turrets to open and close said gates, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a controlling-works for canals, channels and the like, a turret arranged adjacent to each side or bank of the canal or channel, a gate supported intermediate its ends upon each turret, and means for rotating said tur-. rets, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a controlling-works for canals, channels and the like, a pair-of turrets arranged in alinement transversely of the channel or canal and respectively adjacent to the sides or banks of the channel or canal, a gate supported by each turret, each gate projecting an equal distance in opposite directions from its supporting-turret, said gates cooperating to close said channel or canal when disposed transversely thereof, as and for the purpose set forth. i

5. In a controlling-works for canals, channels and the like, a pair of turrets arranged in alinement transversely of the channel or canal and respectively adjacent to the sides or banks thereof, a gate supported by each turret, each gate projecting an equal distance on opposite sides ofits supporting-turret, said gates cooperating to close said channel or canal when disposed transversely thereof, means for bracing said turrets from the shore or banks of the channel, and means for rotating said turrets, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a controlling-works for canals, channels and the like, a turret comprising a stationary shell or drum and inner and outer revolu ble shells, a gate supported by said revoluble shell, and means for revolving said shells, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a controlling-Works for canals, channels and the like, a turret including a stationary shell or drum, in combination with a revoluble shell supported thereby, a gate supported intermediate its ends upon said revoluble shell, and means forrevolving said shell,

as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a controlling-works, a foundation, a shell or drum stationarily mounted thereon, a revoluble shell supported upon said stationary shell, a gate carried by said revoluble shell, meanst'or bracing said revoluble shell, and means for rotating the same, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a controlling-works, a foundation, a shell or drum stationarily mounted thereon, an inner and an outer shell revolubly supported upon said stationary shell and inclosing the same between them, braces carried by said inner and outer shells and bearing against said intermediate stationary shell, a gate carried by said revoluble shells, and means for rotating said shells, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a controllingworks, a stationary shell, a revoluble shell supported thereon, a gate carried by said revoluble shell, a motor arranged within said shells, and gearing operated by said motor for revolving said revoluble shell, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a con trollingworks,a stationaryshell having tracks arranged on the inner and outer surface thereof adjacent to the bottom of the same, an inner and an outer shell revolubly supported upon said stationary shell and carrying rollers respectively operating on said tracks, a gate supported by said revoluble shells, and means for rotating said shells, as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In a controlling-works, a gate having openings therethrough and doors or wickets for controlling said openings, said doors or wickets adapted to be opened in either direction, and means for yieldingly maintaining said doors closed, as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a controlling-works, a gate pivotally supported intermediate its ends, and having openings therethrough at each end thereof, doors or wickets for controlling said openings, and means for yieldingly maintaining said doors or wickets closed, as and for the purpose set forth.

1 1. ha controlling-works, a gate having openings or passages therethrough, doors or wickets for controlling said openings, said doors or wickets being pivotally supported nearer one end than the other, and a counterweight connected to each door or wicket, and operating to normally but yieldingly maintain the same closed, as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a controlling-Works, the combination with two sets of balanced gates arranged at suitable distances apart, and anintermediate set of tightly-closing gates; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In a controlling-works, the combina- IIO tion with two sets of balanced gates arranged at suitable distances apart, and an intermediate tightly closing gate, and means for quickly conveying water from one side of the gate to the other; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

17. In a controlling-works for canals, channels and the like, two sets of balanced gates arranged at suitable distances apart, an intermediate tightly-closing gate, a longitudinal partition in the channel providing a bypass or side channel, and means for admitting the Water from the by-pass or side channel into the compartment between the rear of the tightly-closing gate and the second of the balanced gates; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

18. In a controlling-Works for canals, channels and the like, a longitudinal partition for dividing such watercourse into two divisions, controlling-gates arranged in the part of the channel intended to be navigated, and valves arranged in the partition between the gates for admitting water from the by-pass or side channel into the navigable channel; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

19. In a controlling-works for canals, channels and the like, a longitudinal partition for dividing the Watercourse into two divisions, one of which is intended for navigation and the other is a by-pass or side channel, two

sets of balanced gates in the navigable por tion of the channel, and an intermediate tightly-closing gate, and means for admitting water from the by-pass or side channel to the navigable channel behind the tightly-closing gate, and an independent gate for closing the delivery end of the by-pass or side channel;

.or side channel, two sets of balanced gates in the navigable channel, a tightly closing and fitting pair of gates intermediate said two last-mentioned sets of gates, means for admitting the water from the by-pass channel into the navigable channel behind the tightly-fitting gate, and a pump connected to the navigable channel at each side of the tightly-fitting gate; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 5th day of June, 1900, in the presence of the subscribing witnesses.

OSSIAN GUTl-IRIE.

Witnesses:

S. E. DARBY, E. O. SEMPLE. 

